William L. Odom CollectionLU.162

William L. Odom CollectionLU.162


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Greenwood Library Archives and Special Collections

Janet D. Greenwood Library
401 Redford Street
Farmville, VA 23909
Business Number: 434-395-2433
ask@longwood.libanswers.com
URL: https://libguides.longwood.edu/home/asc

Repository
Greenwood Library Archives and Special Collections
Identification
LU.162
Title
William L. Odom Collection 1967-1969
Quantity
.35 Linear Feet, 1 legal-sized half-Hollinger box
Creator
Odom, William.
Creator
Odom, Carol.
Creator
Robinson Jr., T. Burwell.
Language
English .

Administrative Information

Restrictions on Access

There are no restrictions to access or use for research purposes.

Ownership and Custodial History

This collection of materials, originally compiled by Dr. William and Carol Odom, came to the Greenwood Library Archives, via Susan Bagby, in summer 2000.


Biographical sketch

Dr. William L. Odom was born in December 1934 in Richmond, Virginia. He received his bachelor's degree from Hampden-Sydney College before getting his master's degree (1959) and Ph.D. (1961) from University of Virginia. From 1961 to 1965, Dr. Odom taught ancient Greek at Randolph-Macon College before joining the ancient languages faculty at Hampden-Sydney College. After leaving Hampden-Sydney College in 1969, Dr. Odom spent six years at Keuka College in Keuka Park, New York, serving first as vice president, then dean, and finally acting president. In 1975, he was inaugurated at the 29th president of Bethel College in Tennessee. Dr. Odom retired from that position in 1991, then served as vice president of development of Habitat for Humanity International form 1991 to 1994, and then as Salvation Army director of development from 1994 to 2000. During his time at Hampden-Sydney College, Dr. Odom and his wife, Carol, were involved in the civil rights movement in Prince Edward County. Specifically, when Hampden-Sydney College graduate, T. Burwell Robinson, Jr., was fired from his teaching position at Robert Russa Moton High School in Farmville, Virginia under questionable circumstances, Dr. Odom and others in the community rallied support for his cause. Accused of provoking unrest among his black students, Robinson's firing precipitated a second student strike at the school, including a sit-in in the school's auditorium, a march through downtown Farmville, and an occupation of the principal's office.

Scope and content

Included in this collection, which dates from 1967 to 1969, is correspondence, documents, newspaper and magazine clippings, and photographs. The vast majority of these materials relate to the firing of Robert Russa Moton High School teacher T. Burwell Robinson but also include information regarding the Odom's involvement in the Community Action Group Preschool Program and the Prince Edward School Advisory Committee.

Subjects and Indexing Terms


Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

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Significant Places Associated With the Collection

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Container List

Text [1000522922] box: 01 of 01
Hampden-Sydney Tiger, editorial by T. Burwell Robinson
1967-02-10
Correspondence
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Newspaper and Magazine Clippings
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Photographs
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